Founding Principal

Job title
Founding Principal – Early Years and Primary School
 
Location
Hittin, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
 
Salary range and package details
A competitive, internationally benchmarked package is on offer, commensurate with experience. Full package details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
 
Start date
As soon as possible. The school is scheduled to open in August 2027, and the owners are eager to welcome the right candidate well in advance of opening. There is genuine flexibility on the shape of the initial arrangement for the right person — this is a conversation worth having.
 
About the school
This is a rare and genuinely exciting opportunity: the chance to build something from the ground up. A new Early Years and Primary School is being established in the prestigious Hittin district of Riyadh, with an August 2027 opening, and the founding Principal will play a pivotal role in shaping every aspect of the school from its earliest stages.

The school will be underpinned by an internationally recognised curriculum framework, delivering high-quality English-medium education from Early Years through to the end of primary. Critically, its ethos and academic model will be deeply aligned with the core pillars of Saudi Vision 2030 — fostering creativity, critical thinking, cultural pride, and a generation of learners prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. The school will combine world-class educational practice with a genuine appreciation of Saudi values, identity, and ambition.

The founding Principal will have the opportunity to recruit the founding team, develop the curriculum and assessment frameworks, establish the school’s culture and community, and lay the foundations for a school that will grow in reputation and impact for years to come. This is not a caretaker role — it is a defining leadership opportunity for someone who understands how great schools are built.
 
Who will thrive in this role?

 
 Life in Riyadh – Hittin district
Riyadh is one of the most rapidly transforming cities in the world — a place where ambition is built into the landscape. The Hittin district, where this school will be located, is one of the Saudi capital’s most prestigious and desirable residential neighbourhoods. Situated in the north of the city, it is known for its high-quality housing, excellent connectivity, and proximity to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). It is home to many of Riyadh’s most established international families and senior professionals.
Beyond the neighbourhood, Riyadh offers an increasingly vibrant lifestyle for international residents. The city is at the heart of Saudi Vision 2030’s transformation — with world-class entertainment, dining, culture, and sport now all part of daily life. The Boulevard Riyadh City, a flagship entertainment destination, is moments from Hittin. With a strong and growing international community, excellent schools, modern infrastructure, and a welcoming atmosphere, Riyadh is an outstanding base for educators and their families.
 
Required qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, or a closely related field
• A Master’s degree in Education or a related discipline is strongly preferred
• A minimum of 10 years’ proven, hands-on experience in establishing and launching new schools, with demonstrated involvement in the full school set-up and opening process
• Substantial experience in a senior leadership role within an Early Years or Primary setting
• A recognised teaching qualification

 Essential skills

• Demonstrable experience leading a school opening process from inception through to launch, including recruitment, curriculum design, and community development
• A deep understanding of Early Years and Primary pedagogy, curriculum frameworks, and best practice
• Strategic vision combined with the operational ability to turn plans into action under tight timelines
• Exceptional staff recruitment and leadership skills, with the ability to build and inspire a high-performing founding team
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets in a school context
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build trust with owners, parents, and the wider community
• Cultural intelligence and genuine respect for the Saudi context, values, and Vision 2030
• The resilience, energy, and entrepreneurial mindset required to thrive in a founding environment

Safeguarding skills and qualities required for international leaders
The safety and wellbeing of every child in the school community is non-negotiable. The founding Principal will be expected to embed a culture of safeguarding from the very beginning, establishing robust policies, procedures, and practices before the school opens its doors. Specifically, candidates must demonstrate:

• An in-depth understanding of child protection principles and international safeguarding frameworks
• The experience and confidence to design and implement effective safeguarding policies from scratch
• The ability to train and lead staff in safeguarding responsibilities as part of the founding induction process
• Cultural sensitivity and an awareness of how safeguarding is interpreted and applied across diverse international contexts
• Sound professional judgement, clear ethical boundaries, and a zero-tolerance approach to any risk to pupil welfare
• A commitment to ensuring that safer recruitment practices are embedded in every hiring process from day one

Who we are – chk Education
chk Education is a leading boutique search firm specialising in international education recruitment. We work with a carefully selected portfolio of outstanding schools and organisations worldwide, connecting exceptional educational leaders and teachers with opportunities that genuinely match their ambitions. Our personalised, expert approach means we take the time to understand both our clients and our candidates — and we hold ourselves to the highest standards in both quality of service and commitment to safeguarding.
 
How to apply

If this role isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking to secure an international leadership or teaching position, please reach out to Rachael with your preferences and she will be able to explore other opportunities with you.
 
Due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

In some of the countries where our client schools operate, there are upper age restrictions related to the issuance of visas and work permits. If you have any questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to ask.

chk Education utilises safer recruitment procedures to ensure compliance with child protection requirements in all employment processes. The policies for safer recruitment are aligned with best practice and the International Taskforce for Child Protection. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject, but not limited to, various background and security checks including receipt of satisfactory references, proof of qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks.